US4781644A - Assembly kit for toy or the like - Google Patents

Assembly kit for toy or the like Download PDF

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Publication number
US4781644A
US4781644A US06/898,586 US89858686A US4781644A US 4781644 A US4781644 A US 4781644A US 89858686 A US89858686 A US 89858686A US 4781644 A US4781644 A US 4781644A
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United States
Prior art keywords
bolt
head
assembly kit
half portions
extending
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
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US06/898,586
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English (en)
Inventor
Takaharu Yoshida
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ABERO LABORATORY Inc
ABERO LABS Inc
Original Assignee
ABERO LABS Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
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Assigned to ABERO LABORATORY INC. reassignment ABERO LABORATORY INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: YOSHIDA, TAKAHARU
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Publication of US4781644A publication Critical patent/US4781644A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B12/00—Jointing of furniture or the like, e.g. hidden from exterior
    • F16B12/40—Joints for furniture tubing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/10—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
    • F16B35/00—Screw-bolts; Stay-bolts; Screw-threaded studs; Screws; Set screws
    • F16B35/04—Screw-bolts; Stay-bolts; Screw-threaded studs; Screws; Set screws with specially-shaped head or shaft in order to fix the bolt on or in an object
    • F16B35/041—Specially-shaped shafts
    • F16B35/044—Specially-shaped ends
    • F16B35/047—Specially-shaped ends for preventing cross-threading, i.e. preventing skewing of bolt and nut
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B1/1903—Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor
    • E04B1/1906—Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor with central spherical, semispherical or polyhedral connecting element
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1924—Struts specially adapted therefor
    • E04B2001/1927—Struts specially adapted therefor of essentially circular cross section
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1957—Details of connections between nodes and struts
    • E04B2001/196—Screw connections with axis parallel to the main axis of the strut
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1957—Details of connections between nodes and struts
    • E04B2001/1963—Screw connections with axis at an angle, e.g. perpendicular, to the main axis of the strut
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
    • E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
    • E04B1/18—Structures comprising elongated load-supporting parts, e.g. columns, girders, skeletons
    • E04B1/19—Three-dimensional framework structures
    • E04B2001/1981—Three-dimensional framework structures characterised by the grid type of the outer planes of the framework
    • E04B2001/1984—Three-dimensional framework structures characterised by the grid type of the outer planes of the framework rectangular, e.g. square, grid
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
    • Y10T403/34—Branched
    • Y10T403/341—Three or more radiating members
    • Y10T403/342—Polyhedral

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an assembly kit for constructing a framework or the like and, more particularly, to an assembly kit suitable for use as a toy.
  • Such assembly kit includes a plurality of hollow tubes having a linear axis, and joints having juncture portions into which the tubes are fitted at their ends for connection aand which are spatially provided in L-shape, T-shape, and tridimensional patterns.
  • Another difficulty with the related art is that when assembling a cube, for example, by using tubes and joints, or disassembling the cube, fitting the ends of one tube into juncture portions of some joints or pulling the tube ends out from the juncture portions may exert some unreasonable force on the other tubes and joints, thus causing some strain to them. Furthermore, such assembling and disassembling requires the use of considerable force and involves some handling difficulty to those who are not experienced in such work.
  • a further difficulty with the related art assembly kit is that the tube and joint elements of the kit are comparatively complicated in configuration because they are to be fixedly connected together, with the tubes fitted at their ends into corresponding juncture portions of the joints, a feature which results in complicated assembling and disassembling work and poor productivity.
  • an assembly kit for toy use or the like comprises a plurality of rod elements, each formed by a pair of half portions and fasteners for fixing together the half portions, the half portions having ends in the axial direction and first and second recessed portions on the ends respectively, the first recessed portions being formed in semi-arcuate configuration, and the second recessed portions being smaller in radius than the first recessed portions and extending axially outward from the first recessed portions, a plurality of bolts having head portions and shank portions connected to the head portions, the head portions being formed in a disk shape to respectively fit into the first recessed portions and the shank portions being respectively provided with external threads at a front end of the shank portion to fit in the second recessed portion, and a plurality of connecting elements forming spheres in general being provided with a plurality of holes having internal threads with which the bolts are engaged.
  • the pair of half portions are formed respectively with an identical configuration.
  • a total of six holes having internal threads are formed in the connecting elements, having axes on three straight lines which are perpendicular to one another.
  • assembly kit comprises half-parted rod elements, bolts, and spherical connecting elements; therefore, it is unnecessary to provide a large variety of parts, a feature which allows a simplified construction and improved productivity. Especially where the assembly kit is a toy, this also means reduced cost to general household users and it is thus expected that the invention will be widely accepted in the market place.
  • each rod element formed from one pair of identical half portions joined by fasteners; therefore, when assembling the assembly kit into a cube, for example, or disassembling such cube, each rod element is separated into two half portions by loosening the fasteners, so that connecting and disconnecting may be easily carried out through the fasteners or bolts by which the rod element is in screw engagement with one or more of the connecting elements. Therefore, not much laborious force is required when constructing a cube or the like, it being thus easy to perform assembling and disassembling work.
  • the assembly kit in accordance with the invention permits unskilled persons to perform such assembling and disassembling work without difficulty.
  • a disc-shaped head of a bolt fits in a first recessed portion of a semi-arcuate configuration formed in each half portion of each rod element and a shank portion of the bolt fits in a second recessed portion which is smaller in diameter than the first recessed portion, so that the bolt head is securely held in the rod element.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view in perspective showing one rod element
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bolt threadedly engaged with a connecting element
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the connecting element and the bolt when separated from each other;
  • FIG. 5 is a front view of the connecting element
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of the bolt
  • FIG. 7 is a plan view of the bolt
  • FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a half portion
  • FIG. 9 is a side view of the half portion
  • FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the half portion
  • FIG. 11 is a section taken along the line XI--XI in FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 12 is a section taken along the line XII--XII in FIG. 11;
  • FIG. 13 is a section taken along the line XIII--XIII in FIG. 11;
  • FIG. 14 is a section taken along the line XIV--XIV in FIG. 11;
  • FIG. 15 is a plan view showing half portions coupled together by the bolt
  • FIG. 16 is a side view of the construction shown in FIG. 15;
  • FIG. 17 is a side view showing the coupled configuration in FIGS. 15 and 16;
  • FIG. 18 is a side view showing a bolt
  • FIG. 19 is a front view of the bolt
  • FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an assembly according to the invention.
  • FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing another form of an assembly according to the invention.
  • FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a further form of an assembly according to the invention.
  • FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the plate elements shown in FIG. 22;
  • FIG. 24 is a section showing a plate element engaged with a rod element
  • FIG. 25 is an exploded view in perspective showing another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 26 is a plan view of a connecting element
  • FIG. 27 is a plan view of a bolt
  • FIG. 28 is a longitudinal section of the bolt shown in FIG. 27;
  • FIG. 29 is a plan view of a bolt
  • FIG. 30 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bolt shown in FIG. 29;
  • FIG. 31 is a front view of a clamping device
  • FIG. 32 is a side view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 31;
  • FIG. 33 is a plan view of the clamping device shown in FIG. 31;
  • FIG. 34 is a bottom view of a plate element
  • FIG. 35 is a plan view showing the plate element when fixed to a rod member
  • FIG. 36 is a section taken along the line A--A in FIG. 35;
  • FIG. 37 is a bottom view of another form of a plate element corresponding to FIG. 34 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 38 is a section showing the plate element when fixed to a rod member.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the invention.
  • a generally spherical connecting element 2 is mounted to each axial end of a rod element 1.
  • Another rod element 1 is connected to the rod element 1 through the connecting elements 2.
  • a toy assembly or the like is constructed in this way.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view in perspective showing one rod element 1.
  • the rod element 1 consists of a pair of half portions 1a of identical construction coupled together in face to face relation. These half portions 1a are fixed together by bolts 3 as a fastener (see FIG. 1).
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a connecting element 2 and a bolt 4 threadedly engaged therewith.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the connecting element 2 and the bolt 4 as they appear when separated from each other.
  • the bolt 4 has a disk-shaped head 5 and a shank 6 fixed at its base to the head 5.
  • the shank 6 is provided with an external thread 7 at its front end.
  • the connecting element 2 has a plurality of holes provided with internal threads 8 formed therein. One of the internal threads 8 is engaged by the external thread 7.
  • FIG. 5 is a front view of the connecting element 2.
  • a total of six internal threads are formed in the connecting element 2, and the axes of these internal threads 8 are either parallel or perpendicular to one another.
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of the bolt 4 and FIG. 7 is a plan view thereof.
  • An outer peripheral edge 10 of the external thread 7 formed on the front free end portion of the shank 6 is beveled or tapered and truncated-cone shaped, which prevents possible injury during the handling of the kit and facilitates screwing the external screw 7 into one of the internal threads 8.
  • FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a half portion 1a of a rod element 1
  • FIG. 9 is a side view of the half portion 1a
  • FIG. 10 is a bottom view thereof
  • FIG. 11 is a section taken along the line XI--XI in FIG. 10.
  • the half portion 1a has an outer periphery which is semi-cylindrical in configuration, and both ends thereof in the longitudinal direction taper inwardly to form curved portions 11.
  • a first recessed portion 17 is defined at one end of the half portion 1a between a peripheral wall 14, an axially inwardly located wall 15a and an axially outwardly located wall 16, of the half portion 1a.
  • first recessed portion 17 is defined between the peripheral wall 14, an axially inwardly located wall 15b and an axially outwardly located wall 16.
  • the first recessed portions 17 are coaxial with the rod element 1, and have a semi-cylindrical configuration the radius thereof being uniform in the axial direction.
  • Second recessed portions 18, 19, each having a smaller radius than the first recessed portions 17, are respectively formed in the wall 16 and an end wall 12 at each end of the half portion 1a.
  • the head 5 of the bolt 4 fits snugly in the first recessed portion 17. With the head 5 so held in position, the shank 6 of the bolt 4 fits in and extends through the second recessed portions 18, 19.
  • the axes of the second recessed portions are coincident with the axis of the rod element 1.
  • a radially extending barrel portion 21 having an internal thread 20 formed therein is provided axially inwardly of one wall 15a of the half portion 1a.
  • An upwardly protruding annular ledge 22 is formed on the end of the barrel portion 21 extending outwardly from a planar surface of the half portion which abuts a planar surface of another one of the half portions which together comprise the rod element 1.
  • Radially extending, spaced apart walls 23, 24, 25, 26 and an axially extending wall 27 are formed in the half portion 1a.
  • a positioning recess 28 is formed at the top of an intersection between the walls 25 and 27.
  • a radially extending barrel portion 30 defining a through hole 29 is provided axially inwardly of the other wall 15b of the half portion 1a.
  • a positioning protrusion 31 At the top of an intersection between the walls 26 and 27 there is formed a positioning protrusion 31.
  • a notch 32 corresponding to the annular ledge 22 is formed on the end of the barrel portion 30 defining the through-hole 29.
  • the protrusion 31 corresponds to the recess 28.
  • FIG. 12 is a section taken along the line XII--XII in FIG. 11.
  • the spiral ridges of the internal thread 20 formed in the barrel 21 has a comparatively large width in the axial direction of the thread 20 (in the vertical direction in FIG. 12), a feature which contributes toward improved strength and reduced number of turns required in screwing the bolt 3 and facilitates assembling and disassembling.
  • FIG. 13 is a section taken along the line XIII--XIII in FIG. 11.
  • the walls 25, 27 extend to the peripheral wall 14, which fact contributes toward increased strength of the half portion 1a, and accordingly of the rod element 1.
  • FIG. 14 is a section taken along the line XIV--XIV in FIG. 11.
  • a recess 33 is formed in a connecting zone between the barrel portion 30 and the peripheral wall 14.
  • the head 34 of the bolt 3 shown in FIG. 1 fits into the recess 33.
  • the external thread 36 formed on the shank 35 of the bolt 3 engages the internal thread 20 of the other half portion 1a.
  • FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a pair of half portions 1a coupled together by bolts 3.
  • FIG. 16 is a side view thereof.
  • FIG. 17 is a right end view in side elevation showing the coupled configuration in FIGS. 15 and 16.
  • the external thread 36 formed on the shank 35 of the bolt 3 extends through the through-hole 29 of one half portion 1a and engages the internal thread 20 of the other half portion 1a. With the shank 35 held in that position, the head 34 of the bolt 3 does not protrude radially outwardly of the outer periphery of the half portion 1a.
  • the head 34 of the bolt 3 seats on the bottom 33a of the recess 33.
  • a cross-shaped arcuate depression 34a is formed on the bolt head 34. Therefore, the bolt 3 can be tightened or unscrewed with a coin.
  • a slight notch 37 is formed on both longitudinal side edges of the half portion 1a. The presence of such notch 37 prevents possible injury during manual handling of the half portions 1a. No notch 37 is present on the curved portion 11 at either end of the half portion 1a.
  • the axial peripheral surface of the end wall 12 of the half portion 1a forms an arcuate surface 38 which extends along the outer periphery of the connecting element 2.
  • the arcuate surface 38 may be brought into close surface contact with the outer periphery of the connecting element 2, which fact ensures firm connection between the rod element 1 and the connecting element 2 and prevents a loose connection.
  • each half portion 1a is configured generally symmetrically relative to a symmetrical plane perpendicular to its axis at a medium location thereof, and the internal thread 20 and the through-hole 29 are equidistant from the symmetrical plane 39, the recess 28 and protrusion 31 being also equidistant from the symmetrical plane 39.
  • each rod element 1 is comprised of a pair of half portions 1a having an identical configuration, which provides a simplified construction and a reduced number of parts. Furthermore, this means that only one type of mold is required in the fabrication of such rod element, which in turn results in improved productivity.
  • FIG. 18 is a side view showing a bolt 3.
  • FIG. 19 is a front view of the bolt 3.
  • the outer periphery 40 of the head 34 of the bolt 3 is spherical.
  • the outer peripheral edge 41 of the front end of the external thread 36 is chamfered or of a tapered truncated cone shape, a feature which ensures easy engagement of the external thread 36 with the internal thread 20 and eliminates the possibility of any personal injury being caused during the handling of the kit, thus assuring handling safety.
  • FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an assembly 43 constructed by connecting a plurality of the rod elements 1, bolts 3, 4, and connecting elements 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 19. After such an assembly 43 is constructed, it is very easy to construct an assembly 44 shown in FIG. 21, according to the invention. In this case, it is possible to remove a rod element 45 of the assembly 43 in FIG. 20 by disassembling it into a pair of half portions by removing the corresponding bolts 3. Then, bolts 4 may be removed from connecting elements 46, 47 by manually rotating the bolts. Bolts 4 are brought into threaded engagement with connecting elements 48, 49 of the assembly 43, and the rod elements 50, 51 for the assembly 44 in FIG. 21 are fixed in position.
  • FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing another form of an assembly according to the invention.
  • plate elements 53 are used.
  • each plate element 53 has four depending support pieces 54, each of which engage a respective inner side periphery of a rod element 55 of the assembly, as shown in FIG. 24.
  • Rod elements 45, 50, 51, 55 have a configuration similar to that of aforesaid rod element 1, and connecting elements 46, 47, 48, 49 have a configuration similar to that of the connecting element 2.
  • each connecting body 2 is either parallel or perpendicular to one another, but alternatively they may have other angles such as 35° and 45° to each other. It is also possible that connecting elements 2 having different angles between the axes of the internal threads can be differentiated from one another by their color. Such differentiation may enable younger children to easily construct an assembly in accordance with the invention. Further, differentiating connecting elements 2 in color from bolts 3 add to the beauty of the assembly kit. Differentiating each pair of half portions 1a constituting a rod element 1 in color from one to the other will also add to the beauty of the kit.
  • FIG. 25 is an exploded view in perspective showing another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 26 is a plan view of a connecting element 61.
  • FIG. 27 is a plan view of a bolt 64.
  • FIG. 28 is a longitudinal sectional view of the bolt 64 shown in FIG. 27.
  • FIG. 29 is a plan view of a bolt 65.
  • FIG. 30 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the bolt 65 shown in FIG. 29.
  • This embodiment is similar to the earlier described embodiment, with comparable portions given identical reference numerals.
  • the connecting element 61 has a configuration more convenient for molding purposes than the connecting element 2 in the earlier mentioned embodiment.
  • a protrusion 62 is formed on the top of the wall 25 of a half portion 81a, the protrusion extending perpendicularly to the axis of the half portion 81a and being generally of a rectangular parallelepiped configuration, its both ends in the longitudinal direction being chamfered.
  • the top of the wall 26 has a recess 63 formed therein correspondingly to the protrusion 62.
  • the protrusion 62 and the recess 63 are larger in size than the protrusion 31 and the recess 28 in the earlier embodiment. This ensures more accurate positioning and fitting in assembling a pair of half portions 81a.
  • Bolts 64, 65 have tool fitting holes 66, 67 respectively formed therein which extend therethrough in the axial direction thereof.
  • the radial cross section of each of the fitting holes 66, 67 is square.
  • a bolt turning device 70 shown in FIGS. 31 to 33 has a fitting portion 71 formed in a square rod shape, which fits in the fitting holes 66, 67. By holding and turning a handle portion 72 extending from the fitting portion 71, it is possible to tighten or loosen the bolts 64, 65 easily.
  • Heads 64a, 65a of the bolts 64, 65 have depressions 64b, 65b formed therein as in the case of the bolt 3 in the earlier mentioned embodiment, so that the bolts 64, 65 may be readily turned by using a coin.
  • the fitting holes 66, 67 extend through the entire axial length of the bolts 64, 65 from the heads 64a, 65a to the front ends 64e, 65e of shanks 64d, 65d having external threads 64c, 65c formed thereon, and this prevents the possibility of windpipe choking in the event of accidental swallowing by an infant and thus assures improved safety.
  • FIG. 34 is a bottom view of a plate element 75.
  • FIG. 35 is a plan view showing the plate element 75 as it appears when fixed to a rod member 81.
  • FIG. 36 is a section taken along the line A--A in FIG. 35.
  • Two diagonally extending and intersecting reinforcement ribs 77, 78 are formed on the back of a sheet portion 76 of the plate element 75.
  • a peripheral edge portion 80 having support pieces 79 formed thereon is provided around outer periphery of the sheet portion 76.
  • the plate element 75 formed in this way is more durable than the plate element 53 in the earlier embodiment, because it is reinforced, and is easy to remove.
  • Support pieces 79 are formed in pairs on each side of the plate element 75, and therefore they are not prone to slippage in the event of an external force being exerted in a direction perpendicular to the thicknesswise direction of the plate member 75 (in the direction parallel to the sheet surface of FIG. 34).
  • FIG. 37 is a bottom view of another form of a plate element 85 corresponding to FIG. 34 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention and FIG. 38 is a section showing the plate element 85 when fixed to a rod member 86.
  • Support pieces 87 are fixed to the rod element 86 in the condition shown in FIG. 38 by contacting the outer surface of the rod element 86.
  • Rib plates 88, 89 extend diagonally to each other and are mounted on the sheet portion 85.
  • the assembly kit in accordance with the invention may be formed of synthetic resins.
  • assembly kit according to the invention be used as a toy, but also it may be used in connection with building shelves or the like.
  • the assembly kit according to the invention can be used very widely in common households.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
US06/898,586 1985-10-12 1986-08-21 Assembly kit for toy or the like Expired - Fee Related US4781644A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP60227504A JPS6287181A (ja) 1985-10-12 1985-10-12 玩具などの組立体
JP60-227504 1985-10-12

Publications (1)

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US4781644A true US4781644A (en) 1988-11-01

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US06/898,586 Expired - Fee Related US4781644A (en) 1985-10-12 1986-08-21 Assembly kit for toy or the like

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US (1) US4781644A (ja)
EP (1) EP0219148B1 (ja)
JP (1) JPS6287181A (ja)
KR (1) KR870003809A (ja)
AU (1) AU588050B2 (ja)
DE (1) DE3668787D1 (ja)

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US4998023A (en) * 1989-06-22 1991-03-05 Lakeside Manufacturing, Inc. Portable utility cart
US5487691A (en) * 1994-01-03 1996-01-30 Yip Tai Toys Industrial Ltd. Sphere and rod construction toy
US5769442A (en) * 1994-01-31 1998-06-23 Teksource, Hlc Structural shell frames and method of making same
US5944439A (en) * 1996-01-29 1999-08-31 Safco Products Co. Metal shelving connector and kit
SG87738A1 (en) * 1991-11-06 2002-04-16 Interlego Ag A screw for a toy building set
EP1229975A2 (en) * 1999-11-11 2002-08-14 Young Ouk Park Block toy
US6491563B1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-12-10 Scott Bailey Ball and socket construction toy
US6651826B1 (en) * 2002-05-31 2003-11-25 Ahimsa Studios, Inc. Interlocking pipe storage system
US6655057B2 (en) * 2000-05-09 2003-12-02 Se Gon Kim Framework for a balloon decoration
US6688068B2 (en) * 2002-02-28 2004-02-10 Honeywell Reconfigurable erectable truss structure
US20060084357A1 (en) * 2004-10-15 2006-04-20 Rosen Lawrence I Illuminated toy construction kit
US20080016789A1 (en) * 2006-07-18 2008-01-24 Boots Alfred H Spherical hub for modular structure system
US7371147B2 (en) * 2004-07-19 2008-05-13 Edoardo Tusacciu System for realising complex assemblies
US20090017721A1 (en) * 2007-07-10 2009-01-15 Chernick Mark J Novelty device having elastomeric protrusions with hard plastic terminations and its associated method of construction
US20110136404A1 (en) * 2009-09-09 2011-06-09 Rhino Toys, Inc. Handheld Toy
US20130098186A1 (en) * 2010-07-01 2013-04-25 Asinvent Limited Construction assembly for spatial structure with drive shaft
US20130101342A1 (en) * 2010-07-01 2013-04-25 Asinvent Limited Construction assembly for spatial structure with movable screw
US20140094083A1 (en) * 2011-02-28 2014-04-03 Rolf Vandoren Construction toy
CN107530566A (zh) * 2015-02-16 2018-01-02 吉拉提家族投资私人有限公司 模块化游乐场设备
USD892945S1 (en) * 2020-03-18 2020-08-11 Daniel Patterson Building toy
WO2020180307A1 (en) * 2019-03-06 2020-09-10 Afshari Ali Reza Optical cage system
USD902321S1 (en) * 2019-01-29 2020-11-17 Gymworld Inc. Toy block
US11302218B2 (en) * 2016-12-05 2022-04-12 Bu Sung KIM Construction teaching set for education
USD982095S1 (en) * 2020-12-18 2023-03-28 Lego A/S Element for a toy building set
CN113795781B (zh) * 2019-03-06 2024-05-28 阿里·雷萨·阿夫沙里 光学笼系统

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JP4720192B2 (ja) * 2005-01-24 2011-07-13 東京電力株式会社 超音波流量計測方法
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US4998023A (en) * 1989-06-22 1991-03-05 Lakeside Manufacturing, Inc. Portable utility cart
SG87738A1 (en) * 1991-11-06 2002-04-16 Interlego Ag A screw for a toy building set
US5487691A (en) * 1994-01-03 1996-01-30 Yip Tai Toys Industrial Ltd. Sphere and rod construction toy
US5769442A (en) * 1994-01-31 1998-06-23 Teksource, Hlc Structural shell frames and method of making same
US5944439A (en) * 1996-01-29 1999-08-31 Safco Products Co. Metal shelving connector and kit
EP1229975A2 (en) * 1999-11-11 2002-08-14 Young Ouk Park Block toy
EP1229975A4 (en) * 1999-11-11 2003-07-02 Young Ouk Park BLOCK-BASED GAME
US6491563B1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2002-12-10 Scott Bailey Ball and socket construction toy
US6655057B2 (en) * 2000-05-09 2003-12-02 Se Gon Kim Framework for a balloon decoration
US6688068B2 (en) * 2002-02-28 2004-02-10 Honeywell Reconfigurable erectable truss structure
US6651826B1 (en) * 2002-05-31 2003-11-25 Ahimsa Studios, Inc. Interlocking pipe storage system
US7371147B2 (en) * 2004-07-19 2008-05-13 Edoardo Tusacciu System for realising complex assemblies
US20060084357A1 (en) * 2004-10-15 2006-04-20 Rosen Lawrence I Illuminated toy construction kit
US20080016789A1 (en) * 2006-07-18 2008-01-24 Boots Alfred H Spherical hub for modular structure system
US20090017721A1 (en) * 2007-07-10 2009-01-15 Chernick Mark J Novelty device having elastomeric protrusions with hard plastic terminations and its associated method of construction
US7785170B2 (en) * 2007-07-10 2010-08-31 Chernick Mark J Novelty device having elastomeric protrusions with hard plastic terminations and its associated method of construction
US20110136404A1 (en) * 2009-09-09 2011-06-09 Rhino Toys, Inc. Handheld Toy
CN102711937A (zh) * 2009-09-09 2012-10-03 哥特艾公司 手持玩具
US20130098186A1 (en) * 2010-07-01 2013-04-25 Asinvent Limited Construction assembly for spatial structure with drive shaft
US20130101342A1 (en) * 2010-07-01 2013-04-25 Asinvent Limited Construction assembly for spatial structure with movable screw
US9097324B2 (en) * 2010-07-01 2015-08-04 Asinvent Limited Construction assembly for spatial structure with drive shaft
US9222496B2 (en) * 2010-07-01 2015-12-29 Asinvent Limited Construction assembly for spatial structure with movable screw
US20140094083A1 (en) * 2011-02-28 2014-04-03 Rolf Vandoren Construction toy
US9789417B2 (en) * 2011-02-28 2017-10-17 Rolf Vandoren Construction toy
US20180238365A1 (en) * 2015-02-16 2018-08-23 Gillatt Family Investments Pty Ltd A modular playground apparatus
CN107530566A (zh) * 2015-02-16 2018-01-02 吉拉提家族投资私人有限公司 模块化游乐场设备
US11302218B2 (en) * 2016-12-05 2022-04-12 Bu Sung KIM Construction teaching set for education
USD902321S1 (en) * 2019-01-29 2020-11-17 Gymworld Inc. Toy block
WO2020180307A1 (en) * 2019-03-06 2020-09-10 Afshari Ali Reza Optical cage system
CN113795781A (zh) * 2019-03-06 2021-12-14 阿里·雷萨·阿夫沙里 光学笼系统
CN113795781B (zh) * 2019-03-06 2024-05-28 阿里·雷萨·阿夫沙里 光学笼系统
USD892945S1 (en) * 2020-03-18 2020-08-11 Daniel Patterson Building toy
USD982095S1 (en) * 2020-12-18 2023-03-28 Lego A/S Element for a toy building set

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR870003809A (ko) 1987-05-04
AU588050B2 (en) 1989-09-07
DE3668787D1 (de) 1990-03-15
EP0219148B1 (en) 1990-02-07
EP0219148A1 (en) 1987-04-22
JPS6287181A (ja) 1987-04-21
JPH0365196B2 (ja) 1991-10-09
AU6179786A (en) 1987-04-16

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